Specialist Workshops

FAAA Professional Practice Workshop*

Leveraging tech, teams, processes for business profitability and sustainability

Tuesday 24 November | 1:00pm - 3:15pm

Room 212 & 213

CPD hours will be awarded for this workshop

This workshop is exclusive to businesses that are part of the FAAA Professional Practice Program.

Session Overview

Standing still is no longer an option for advice businesses as we navigate rising costs, regulatory complexity, reform fatigue and growing client demands. The firms that thrive will be those willing to explore new ways of working - with the curiosity to challenge old assumptions and the courage to implement change.

In this exclusive workshop for businesses that are part of the FAAA Professional Practice Program, we’ll examine the operating model decisions that separate busy advice practices from scalable, sustainable businesses. Explore how leading firms are using technology, AI, talent strategies, offshoring, process redesign and effective business management practices to create capacity, improve client outcomes, and strengthen profitability.

Looking under the bonnet of four practices within the FAAA Professional Practice Program, combined with interactive discussion with your peers, we'll unpack the commercial levers that matter most: workflow design, resourcing models, accountability frameworks, capacity planning, and business diagnostics.

You'll discover how profitable firms identify and eliminate margin leaks, where technology is creating genuine efficiencies, and how advisers are reinvesting the time freed up by AI to deepen client relationships and grow their businesses.

Whether you're leading a growing practice, wanting to grow your practice, or simply looking for new ideas and best practice, this workshop will challenge conventional thinking, help you evaluate risks, and provide practical ideas you can apply immediately. You'll leave with fresh perspectives and ideas from proven strategies to help you build a more resilient, efficient, and commercially sustainable business.

In today's advice profession, profitability isn't an accident - it's the result of intentionally exploring better ways to lead, operate and grow.

Meet your speakers

Alison Henderson CFP®

Director, SWA Financial Planning

Alison Henderson is a Director of independent financial planning firm SWA Financial Planning. With its head office based in Wollongong, SWA Financial Planning employs 14 financial advisers and over 30 staff, looking after approximately 1,500 client groups around the Illawarra region and beyond. Alison spends her both seeing clients, alongside attending to the ongoing management of the business.

SWA Financial Planning (under Licensee name of Symes Warne & Associates) have held their own AFSL (prior to 2003 Dealers Licence in Securities) since 1982.

Alison first commenced with SWA in 1994. Alison is a CFP and has a Bachelor of Commerce, as well as 2 Masters Degrees – with specialisations in economics, and in financial planning. Alison was a Director on the Board of the FAAA (previously the FPA) between 2016 and 2022, and spent time as Chair of both the Professional Designations Committee and the Policy and Regulations Committee during this period. Alison currently sits on the ASIC Financial Advisers Consultative Panel, and continues to be an active advocate for the accessibility of affordable and understandable financial planning advice for all Australians.

Gary Hasler CFP®

Managing Director, Boutique Advisers Private Wealth

Gary is the Managing Director of Boutique Advisers and works with highly successful individuals and families, providing strategic financial advice and aligned wealth management solutions. Gary specialises in working with entrepreneurs, family businesses and those with complex wealth management needs, including high level professional athletes. Gary is passionate about working with Boutique clients and their trusted professionals in a collaborative way, providing clarity and confidence, and helping them navigate their financial life.

Gary is a CFP® professional and is an Accredited Advisor with the Family Business Association (FBA).

On the weekends, Gary is kept busy with kids sports, activities and family life. He supports the Fremantle Dockers in the AFL and to relax enjoys Mountain Biking, cooking and spending time in the garden with the family.

Gavin Collopy CFP®

COO, Planning Partners Pty Ltd

Gavin joined Planning Partners in 2001 having spent five years with Colonial First State providing an array of financial services including investment and insurance advice. Gavin developed Planning Partners’ Risk Services Division to ensure that adequate defensive elements were being applied to client’s situations.

In his role as Chief Operations Officer, Gavin is responsible for the design and implementation of policies and procedures, the production of quality advice, and optimising the client’s experience. He also sits as a Panel Member (industry Representative) with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

Married with one child, Gavin has a long history of voluntary contribution to grass-roots sport and President of the Balwyn Saints Cricket Club since 2010.

Leong Tang CFP®

Financial Adviser, Callaghans

Leong started his Financial Planning career in March 2015 when he joined Callaghans in Canberra – a multi-disciplinary firm doing Accounting (Individuals, Companies, Trusts and SMSFs) and Financial Planning. He became an adviser in 2016 and CFP in 2018 and has been advising ever since. He became a partner of the firm in 2019 and looks after both sides of the business. Callaghans started their offshore journey in 2013, but it did not go to plan and had to quickly bring everything back onshore after a short stint. The second crack occurred in late 2021 and the offshore team is now 9, out of a total staff strength of 31. Leong travels to Cebu often and has been there 5 times and plans to be there twice a year.

The Financial Advice Association Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

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CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and CFP logo mark are certification marks owned outside the U.S. by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). The Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) is the marks licensing authority for the CFP marks in Australia, through agreement with FPSB.